L.S. Ayres Tea Room — Attraction in Indianapolis

This is my second time visiting the LS Ayres Tea Room, but the first since it transitioned into a buffet. My grandma used to go to the tea room all the time decades ago, so this is a fun trip down memory lane for her. I prefer table service over the buffet, but the food is still good and the staff are very friendly and accommodating. The décor is lovely. In terms of food/drink, I recommend the hot chocolate, chicken pot pie, turkey club, mac and cheese and macaroons. The buffet is a set price per person and includes basic drinks. You can order select alcoholic beverages, like mimosas, for an additional charge. The tea room is on the second level of the State Musuem. There is parking in a nearby garage, but there is a charge depending on how long you stay and it is a bit of a walk to get inside. There are elevators to go upstairs. Give yourself extra time to park and go inside. Since the tea room is only open during the holidays, it is very busy, especially on weekends. Definitely make a reservation at least a month in advance. All in all, this is a great seasonal tradition and a fun way to get in the...

I have wonderful childhood memories of the tea room when I would go with my mom and aunt. The first time I went to the museum was Dec. 2020 and we were told it was a buffet because of Covid. I went again yesterday and it is, disappointingly, still a buffet. I hope being served will come back because that's what the tea room was (except for employees and they had the "tray shop"). The chicken velvet soup is still delicious as was the chicken salad and the field greens salad. The pot pie was not done and was very doughy. ...it used to be delicious. Very disappointing. I'm happy that the pecan ice cream ball is still offered. That was always my favorite after I outgrew the snow princess sundae. Our drink server was great and kept the tea and coffee cups full and our table cleared. All in all, though, I was disappointed and not sure I will go back unless it is no longer a buffet. The price is a bit high for having no hot entree and I would much prefer to have table service like...

What a lovely recreation! Reservations are highly encouraged since they offer a small window of times and dates! A very nice "sit down buffet" for one-money. The food was well portioned so you can try a variety of items. I suggest you take the time to follow-up at the Museum gift shop to buy the L S Ayres' Recipe Book and the History Book.*They do offer gluten-free bread...